Town Square

Off Leash Dogs at Foothills Park

Original post made
by Hiker, Greendell/Walnut Grove,
on Oct 21, 2013

Due to the recent scrutiny on the off leash dog problem in Palo Alto public spaces, Foothills Park is now subject to a surge of dog owners bringing their dogs up there to roam free. Today I was pounced on by an off leash dog on the trail. Because there is a leash law at Foothills Park, because dogs are supposed to be under the control of their human at all times, because the dog had no doubt been romping in poison oak, and because I do not like to be leaped on by dogs I do not know, I was offended. Of course the owners were rude. I will be carrying pepper spray from now on and will spray any dog in the park that comes into my personal space. I will also report you. Please do not resort to letting your dog roam at Foothills Park. It is a nature preserve. Many wild animals live there. Dogs roaming off trail disturb their habitat. There are also a lot of rattle snakes. A dog can die very quickly from a rattle snake bite. If you do bring your dog up there, and let it roam off leash, you will, hopefully be stopped by the rangers. I also hope you get poison oak from your dog. This is not the dogs' fault, It is the fault of dog owners who think the rules do not apply to them.